As the Wii threatens to overtake the 360, what now for third-party publishers?

"To put it bluntly, there are many people in third-party development and publishing who won't be terribly happy to see Nintendo out in front. There is a perception in the industry that the success of a Nintendo platform is not necessarily followed by success for publishers who support that platform - and as a result, many would prefer to see the continued dominance of the PlayStation platform, which is perceived as more conducive to third-party success."

[bung tickler]

The gamec... sorry Wii is NOT NEXT GEN! It’s no more powerful than the original Xbox... it has no freaking legs... NONE! In reality people want something that will last them 5 years+ the Wii was outdated the day it launched... the only thing it has going for it is its price. People, dumb people, THINK they are getting a next gen machine for cheap... what they fail to realize is they are getting old tech in a new form factor; the Wii is a dust collector not a game system. Sure you might take it out and dust it off 3 or 4 times a year to play your Zeldas, your Marios, or your Metroids, but past that it’s got nothing. IT CAN'T DO HD! It can't move forward even if it wanted to, it can't do what the 360 or PS3 can. And you know what? The 360 and the PS3 could easily do what the Wii does all it requires is a bundled motion controller with a game. Oh but you say those bundles never work. Really... look at Guitar Hero, if the game is good it will work. The Wii hasn't got sh1t but fanboys, 8 year old little kids, grandmas and hippies buying it. It’s a fad it will pass. It has no choice but to.

And before I go, here’s something to chew on, if the Wii is so great and people play their Wii so much after they buy it where are the game sales? If it has as many systems out there as the 360 (I'm not saying it doesn’t) then it should sell as many games as the 360 does. IT DOESN'T! Not even close. The best selling game is the one bundled with it followed by a game bundled with a FREE $50 remote. What does that say?

Now with that said... I own ALL of Nintendo's systems from the NES to the GameCube and I also own a DS Lite that replaced my GBA, but you won't see my buying a Wii. Why? Because I bought that hardware last gen.

[Biasmania]

Now see I am going to jump in here and latch on with the 360 owners here. As a PS3 owner I want to say that the Wii is a fad and nothing more, I want to say the same thing that they gave us last time, only with a pointy stick, I want to say that it will fade and die off, and Microsoft and Sony can get back to busting each other up, but I am afraid that isn't the case.

Nintendo has now done the same thing in the console market they did for the handheld market. They throw out a hardcore bone (Metroid, Mario, Castlevania), to make a few of us want to play, but throw out some silly little game with puppies, and sell a trillion of them. It appeals to grandmas, kids, and well pretty much everyone. Somehow it has just latched on.

I don't know how they do it. But I can't see this going away anytime soon, hell they got 69 year old women playing this thing. As well as 4 year olds. And those people could care less about High Def, and 16 player online games. I want to see how well Nintendo holds people off once the 360 and the PS3 hit a more attractive price range.

[MK_Red]

bloody diarrhea, you spoke from my heart! Bubbles for you.
Wii was supposed to extend the market but so far it has stolen PS3 and 360 potential owners who think they have a cheap and motion sensing next-gen console. WAKE UP! PS2 is getting motion sensor!

[Daewoodrow]

Well said, have a bubble.
Don't worry, the new bubble system means you can't lose bubbles just for stating your opinion.

[thisisim]

@pooper

I happen to love all three consoles. They all have their pros and cons. The PS3 is awesome for it's blu-ray abilities and it's getting some great games. The 360 has a great library and a great online system. The Wii is innovative (if you think that the only thing that entitles a system to be innovative is processor speed and number of cores, bus bandwidth, and memory, oh, and how many pixels you're putting on the screen, don't bother to finish reading this comment) with it's new approach to gaming, small form factor, power consumption, implementation of ideas not normally used in gaming, and gaming styles.

More than one type of console can exist at the same time. If more developers develop for the Wii, it will likely be because that's what the market dictates. Not everyone prefers horsepower as all-important and just because you see nothing of value in the Wii doesn't mean it isn't there.

And you're lumping millions of people into your "people, dumb people" approach. When you start to notice that most of everyone around you is dumb, it's time to start analyzing yourself and your own perspectives a bit. It'd be a sorry world if we all had the same perspective (even on gaming).

And what makes a hardcore gamer? What type of game you like? How long you spend at it?

It may help to broaden your view a bit (as well as your tolerance level for dumb people who don't like what you do).

@mk_red,
You might be surprised as well to find that most consumers buy the Wii because they actually want it. I have a tougher time selling my PS3 or 360 to visitors than my Wii (and I'm talking adults, not just pre-teens and teens who already play games). Everyone seems to love it.

@assassin below
The Wii is still selling more than the other two consoles combined. Pretty big bug. Good luck ramming that thing.

@all listed above
Why don't you guys (or boys - I don't know how old you are) go home and play the games you like on the systems you like and quit hating everyone and everything different? If the Wii dies, fine, it would probably be because it wasn't what people wanted and something that fit what they wanted was readily available. However, I still can't find them on store shelves so I don't really think you have much of a leg to stand on here.

[Daewoodrow]

thisisim, i'm afraid i'm not interested in indulging any common pro-Wii arguments, and i'm not touching your "most people aren't stupid" argument with a barge pole.
I will tell you that I take no enjoyment out of the thought of a product failing and going out of business. In simple terms,
I don't want to see the Wii die.
I agreed with what he said because the whole "the Wii is inovative" thing came straight from the collective mouths of Nintendo marketing. I will eventually buy a Nintendo Wii myself, when I have more disposable income, but I will not insult my own intelligence by buying into the innovation cry.

A motion sensing remote is not "innovative". It is a gimmick. It makes people say "wow!", and it makes playing the Wii completely idiot proof. Because any (healthy) human being has the ability to move their arms. Two year olds, sixty year olds, incompetent morons, they all know how to move their arms and respond to stimuli. And that's all it requires to play the Wii. Without the motion sensing remote, the Wii would have been a mediocre games console at best.

It is one form of videogaming that any idiot can do, and therefore it is cool.
When I buy a Wii, it will be because the Wii has good games on it. Not because "Nintendo are innovative!!!!"

I have NOTHING against people who buy Wiis, but I have a distinct lack of respect for gullability.

[thisisim]

Well I'm just glad you're not gullible enough to buy into any marketing propaganda (unless of course it comes from a system you approve of).

Again, I like all systems and become less tolerant of those who refuse to "live and let live." Please enlighten me as to why the other systems are innovative.

Online development - I agree. This is somewhat innovative (though an obvious move from last generation). All three systems have it though.

Consolidation of products - may be considered innovative, though it has a long history and was also a pretty obvious move.

Faster system - so innovative. All three are faster. All three have significant innovations in the hardware department. Can you imagine if everyone said the XBox 360 wasn't "next gen" because it's the same size as last gen systems? If they optimized what you value, it's "next gen" and innovative, otherwise it's a gimmick. I think I understand now.

HD - please. All we're doing is changing the resolution. I can write a program in less than an hour to change an input signal to any output resolution you specify and it would hardly be innovative. Multiple cores take innovation, as does improving pipelining and widening datapaths though they're all hardware and software innovations that are implemented into gaming and not necessarily innovations on gaming directly.

Control system that forces developers to re-think how they develop a game - unarguably innovative. The PS3 had the chance to implement a little bit of motion sensing into their controller as well and good for them. Rumble was innovative when it was added to controllers, though arguably gimmicky as well. When your system of choice makes people say "Wow" or if they find it intuitive, do you consider it gimmicky? To do something drastically different from competitors is innovative. The definition of innovation is to add something new and different. To say the Wii isn't innovative and the other systems are is ignorant.

Or does the system have to be exclusive and difficult to operate? Is it the Wii's accessibility that strips it of innovation? And is it your opinion that only idiots find the Wii entertaining?

Apparently the majority of the world is both stupid and gullible and us gullibles are sorry to lose your highly-esteemed respect.

[dantesparda]

"The Wii hasn't got sh1t but fanboys, 8 year old little kids, grandmas and hippies buying it. It’s a fad it will pass. It has no choice but to."

Where are all these "Wii" fanboys you talk of? I barely see them, all i see are 360 & PS3 fanboys everywhere i look. And "hippies"? where the fvck are you looking? Do hippies even exist anymore? i mean really! And its a "fad"? well that fad is kicking your systems a$$ (and i own a 360). So stop hating so much you damn fanboys, cuz it just makes you's look like the fanboys you's really are.

Oh and "Thisisim", great fvcking posts! Kudos man! But these fanboys will never understand. They cant see past their own biases

[Daewoodrow]

Your arguments are based on alot of assumptions. I noticed this quite early on in your first post, but it appears to have continued into your second.
First of all, you assume I am gullible enough to believe every other system's propaganda. An unsubstantiated claim at best.
Then you assume I think the other systems ARE innovative? Do you make this stuff up as you go along? "Innovation" is a marketing word. It remains a marketing word even when applied to the other consoles.

And then, with not so much an assumption as a blatent lack of a grasp of my entire argument, you form the conclusion that "He said idiots can operate the Wii, therefore he said everyone who enjoys the Wii are idiots".

You even went so far as to throw another Nintendo marketing buzzword at me - accessible.

I seriously doubt you managed to provide a counter-argument for anything I said, and your entire argument is based on proving to me that the Wii is the most innovative console. Of course the word innovative COULD be used to describe the Wii motion sensors.

That was never the point though was it? In this case, the word innovation is synonymous with the word "gimmick", they are using this so called innovation to sell you a mediocre console. A cheaply produced, low tech device that can sell to the mass market.

Not everybody who buys a Nintendo Wii is a moron, and not everyone who buys a Nintendo Wii is gullible. After all, I did clearly say I would buy one myself, and I seriously doubt I would ever insult myself. But the fact that you have the gall to stand there quoting the Nintendo marketing lines to me in an argument for why the Nintendo Wii is as good as the others consoles?
The YOU clearly are gullible. Equally gullible as those who quote things like "Jump in!!" or "Play B3yond!!"

I part with my money on a games console because it looks fun, not because it's "innovative, ergonomic and accessible!!!"

[unsunghero28]

How bloody diahrrea got 19 agrees and everyone else anti-Wii has 5 at most?

Here's an N4G article for yeh:
NEW STATISTIC PROVES THAT IF YOU DON'T LIKE WII, YOU ALSO DON'T LIKE TO SCROLL DOWN ON THE PAGE

@Below:
Well... Interesting point.

I think what people mean is that bundled controllers never really sell outside of the games they're in. So sure, MS or Sony could package Wii-motes in games. The problem is it would cost $100 and would make them look like they are finally bowing down to the little white box that could.

Plus, the Wii can release ALL of its high-profile titles with the Wii remote capability. Halo 3, MGS4... the games people really care about on the other consoles won't come out with motion sensing or IR. Maybe a little game here or there could, but it won't be a standard.

And again, if MS and Sony made Wii remotes they would both completely idiotic. If Nintendo made a higher-def Wii (which, BTW, will likely happen) then they're not actually stealing anyone's idea.

[bung tickler]

"The 360 and the PS3 could easily do what the Wii does all it requires is a bundled motion controller with a game. Oh but you say those bundles never work. Really... look at Guitar Hero, if the game is good it will work."

So if your only selling point for the Wii is that it is innovative becuase of the motion controlls, the 360 and the PS3 could easily do that themselves. However the Wii can NOT do what the 360 or PS3 can.

[thisisim]

I'll make this brief since you're not addressing any arguments that I post - the Wii focuses on different things than the other two - things that you don't find valuable and that's fine. It's not just the motion controls. Read my post and try to address something if you want to reply.

[thisisim]

(oops, hit reply too early) I also think it's funny that you dismiss the innovation argument saying innovation is unimportant rather than posting a valid argument.

Please stop insulting me and anyone else who is different from yourself.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

For a 360 gamer such as myself the impending reign of the wii is like a big bug(wii) heading towards my dodge charger(360) as I drive at 40+ mph down a country road. I see the bug it is insignificant yet in my way. Being my car is a charger I press on due to my lack of physical response to avoid said bug from hitting my windshield.

As I continue the inevitable is bound to happen and...it does with a splat. Not a crash, not a broken window but just a little splat that will be washed away with the blood of victims in Halo 3.

[Maddens Raiders]

we don't agree on much, but one thing is for sure, the wii will pass. I'm just fascinated to see how gaming in my lifetime has voluntarily "dumbed itself down". And I don't want to talk about the 'kid' aspect as a babysitter - that's just too easy.

Some people can't imagine that it will eventually fade right now, but it will. Clever idea - cool, cheap concept with a nifty controller, but nothing that any woman lovin' red-blooded male over the age of 20 can go out and proudly brag about to their friends. Why is that every person I hear that has one says...yeah I play it but not for long periods of time or it's because of my girlfriend or wife, etc..., or I play it at a party?

Friends, this is the definition of a niche machine. A machine that will move along into it's rightful place of obscurity on the gaming horizon. 3rd party devs don't know what to do w/ this thing, and if they do, they have to get special permission from uncle Miyamoto just to blow their noses. Gamecube trail anyone?

I loved Nintendo growing up -- hell played it until my eyes bled ( I loved Top Gun and Kid Icarus, Kid Niki, Commando, Rush-n-Attack, whew! just to name a few)right along with my Sega systems, but there is nothing compelling on this system compared to the Microsoft and Sony machines nowadays. Yes, call me crazy, but graphics DO matter in my case.lol I have grown as have my desire to play more games with better graphics, sounds, abilities, etc. I think 3rd party developers know that too.

How many MEtroid Primes are out there. Nintendo better pump the hell out of the 1st party stuff if this is all there is.

[dantesparda]

Nothing like some Wii news to get the PS3 and 360 fanboys agreeing, eh? But remember, that's your sworn enemy you're starting to sleep with there. Anyways, i too am a graphics whore and am not impressed by the Wii (although i do and did want to see, Zelda, Metroid, SSBM, Kart and Galaxies). But i dont knock it. Why? cuz i really dont care about it like that. So if it does good, then it does good. Good for Nintendo, and if it does bad then it does bad, and it doesnt bother me either way. Personally i am happy for Nintendo, and feel bad for Sony, however, Sony is getting exactly what it needs. A good ole slice of humble pie, slapped in its face by MS. Those muthafvckas thought they were unstoppable. Now look at them, struggling their a$$ off. Although the 360 fanboys may not think so, i think that MS has done the most right things for gaming since Xbox 1. But that doesnt mean that i am going to kiss their a$$ and love everything they do. But anyways, stop hating, and just play your games, people. BTW, i think Metroid looks really good, im half way through it. And no, i dont own a Wii

[Maddens Raiders]

I don't care if the wii dies or doesn't die and I don't 'hate' it. I just think it is a distraction to the progression of better graphics audio and power in video game applications. Yes they are catering to a specific sect of err ummm "casual" casual gamers, but A LOT of those people will never pick up and play Ace Combat 6, R6V,Motorstorm, Madden, COD4, Forza, GT or MGS4. It's just not going to happen and the few that will are exactly that -- few.; just to name a few.

As far as 'sleeping w/ the enemy" I dunno about that. I don't hate MS I just hate MS's arrogant lying and denying and the attitudes of [their] true followers that act and behave as if they have been around for 'years' and are the undisputed 'kings' of gaming. That just nonsense and that's why I express what I do, how I do.

You say Sony is 'getting what they deserve' & I don't know about all that. You say that you feel that Xbox did the most for gaming -- well with that same logic dante, you can't bring yourself to say that surely SNE did the same thing with the PS1, PS2, and lets not even talk about how Kutaragi changed the scene altogether in the early nineties w/ a little something called the SuperDisc? Anyway that's it. btw - Sony PlayStation Consoles - still are the all time leaders; there's no getting around that. The Nintendo Wii's future is...............

[razer]

@#2 and #3 - You guys both described how I feel about this perfectly.

Bubbles for both of you!

[unsunghero28]

I think the Wii is much less evil than everyone tries to make it seem.

Its motion sensing is actually quite cool and as we're seeing in games like Metroid Prime 3, it can provide an experience that is significantly superior to the controls of games on other consoles. With Super Smash Bros Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy coming out, in addition to a slew of third-party stuff, the Wii has some of the best games of this year (and this gen) for an attractive price.

As for the graphics debate: If Nintendo had made an HD machine with dual analog controls then they would be losing. Hard. If you think about it, if Nintendo didn't have a Wii this gen then by next time they would be out for the count.

And no, I don't think Wii will be a fad. The very second that the Wii starts to slow down- which, for what it's worth, won't be for a while- Nintendo will probably come out with a brand spankin' new SKU, a la DS Lite. High definition and hard drive are probable.

I also am aware that a lot of people don't see the Wii as competition in the next gen war. The truth is, the "next gen war" is getting really old, and if anyone really cares about how things sell more than what games are available then you should get your head checked. I own a Wii because it has the games that most excite me. Simple as that.

[BrotherNick]

You guys really need to try metroid...once fps games with these controls come out consistently like xbox360 you'll love it, I swear on my life.

[power of Green]

Won't matter devs like to make sertain types of games no dev will go Wii exclusive without having a foot in the more powerful console door way, theres more money in the power house market Wii can only promise remakes of old series and only the hardcore can sustain such stradigies casual gamers are not going to support devs the way they're use to. Does anybody know the attach rate for Wii?.

[Rooftrellen]

It takes some calculating, but using the games sold on wikipedia (out of date, more have been sold than what they say), and the console sold from vgchartz (and so many people say the number of consoles for the Wii is high), its between 4 and 4.5.

I give a range because the data is from different times and people don't find either site reliable.

Last I heard, this is better than the PS3. The 360 is in a world of its own. The last I saw some 360 fanboy is bragging about a 6.2 attach rate not knowing that's actually very bad for this point in a console's life cycle (indicates a lot of people buying games but not many buying consoles, as in the end of a cycle).

The Wii is right where it should be for attach rate, though.

I still don't see how people are blind to the fact that the DS and Wii are doing the same thing the PS2 did, giving games to everyone, for every skill level, from every genre.

And, POG, I believe you are wrong about there being more money in the more powerful systems. PS2 was a gold mine last gen (heck, it still is), but it was the least powerful console.

[power of Green]

Think or it this way, does it matter if PS2 or DS are ahead?, NOPE! most will say the Wii is in the same market but thats because NIN released the Wii with the others. A console with such different specs will not be worked in and thought of as a high end power house console with the same dem and exact same market place.

PS2(Wii) is beating 360 OMG what will we do the devs will stop making games, oh wait PS2 is releasing games still and the market is still catering to the powerhouses.

[Rooftrellen]

Were you alive in the early 90's? I ask because if you were, and you played games, chances are, you had a Gameboy or a Game Gear, and maybe even both.

The Gameboy Color hadn't come out yet, and the gameboy was still back and white, had very ugly games, and was, just all around, an inferior system. Game Gear had beautiful graphics (it looked as good as any game back in those days), felt more natural to hold, even, and was basicly the superior system in every way.

The Game Boy thrashed the Game Gear. Sega didn't have a chance in the world against Nintendo's weaker handled system. In fact, the Gameboy has 2 of the 3 best selling games of all time (Pokemon Red/Blue/Green and Tetris). Let me assure you, the difference in the power of the Gameboy to Game Gear was much greater than the difference we see today in the Wii to 360/PS3.

If the weaker system could do it then, and the weaker system could do it last gen, and the weaker system could do it the gen before that, we have weaker systems winning in the handheld and home console markets up to this day.

Why does everyone think it will be different now?

Edit: I seem to capitalize two letters at the start of some words, for some reason. This time I just noticed it when I could change it.

[jackwei22]

WII is the console for inferior gamers since it is the weaker console out of them all and the reason why they call it next-gen is because of the game they play with special control pad theirs. Their games our graphically weak and the console itself is for inferior gamers well only ones who think WII is the best.

Only X360 and PS3 is next-gen the superpowers of the gaming industry like during the cold war USA and USSR or the british empire and germany in WWI.

[vaan]

I'll get one in a year or two, when it's 57 bucks, play it for a while, then go back to my real so called 'hardcore' games.

[Silvia007]

and my 9 year old step sister plays on it. Not one game on there I would play at the moment. Seems hardcore gammers are getting owned by casual gamers and I hope next gen isn't influenced by the casual gamers or we'll be in some serious 360.1 or ps3.1 trouble in the next 4-5 years. Just as the Wii is a Gamecube 0.1.

[Salvadore]

The only thing that attracts people to buy the Wii; is the Wiimote and its pricetag.

Edit: What's Nintendo's attach rate?

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

I prefer is Nintendo wins this conosle war then microsoft.

[Captain Tuttle]

It's all about attach rate...people who own the Wii don't buy that many games.

[kewlkat007]

but what has happened to me is, I'll still play Nintendo high-profile games but I dabble a lot, in the Hard-Core gaming sections, and only the 360/PS3 can cure that hunger.

Since I got the Wii, I've bought just 3 games, well more VC titles though. I'll probably get Mario and Metroid, and SSSB, then I'm not sure after that. I've beaten Zelda. After work, I find myself too tired to swing the remote around, and of course sitting on the couch playing the Wii, makes me feel guilty.

The Wii suffices me to a certain point but I don't know if it can, 3 years down the road..............so even if the Wii surpasses the 360 or Wii , I got a feeling it will continue to sell well because of its price point and to gamers that have not yet moved unto HD gaming or don't care for a Gears of War type game.

More so, a gamer will have the Wii and another HD console(PS3,360), eventually. This is where MS and Sony should be fighting for number 2. Right now we know where that stands. On paper, the wii is selling mad units, Nintendo can bring out a new console next year if they wanted to. I know there will be more games coming out for the Wii, since a lot of developers have shifted their focus unto the machine. Having the console be "cheap" to develop for you will see a lot of quirky games, such as the DS with ti's Stylus pen/dual screens.

Nintendo knows what they are doing, there will always be kids, grandmas, soccer moms, and they know how to satisfy that crowd, as well as their nostalgic late 80's gamer, that have grown with their 1st-party franchises. Hey I'm not gonna hate or say the console sucks.

[ITR]

I'm sorry but Target's attach rate is 3-4 games per Wii sold.
It's been this way since Nov. and hasn't change since.

[ItsDubC]

lol, totally not surprised at Maddens' choice for the article pic.

[kn]

Nintendo may not have the best graphics available but they did innovate with the controller and it is quite fun actually. I love my 360, but the Wii still holds some entertainment. The thing is, though, if they sell like crazy, Nintendo sets itself up for a next generation landslide win. If they have truly "expanded" the market and capture a very significant share of the "kiddie" crowd... well, those kiddies grow up and their parents are now part of the action, too... Guess how well the "Wii 2" (Pronounced Weenie in Japanese, lol) will sell? If the "fad" dies soon, it won't happen, but if the Wii presses on like it has and punches through 50 million consoles, Sony and Microsoft are truly in trouble as they will be left with the "hardcore" crowd while Nintendo captures the mass.

What I would like to see is Microsoft and Sony realize the value of an interactive controller (and no, I don't mean eye toy) and design something themselves... After having played a couple of shooters on the wii with the wii remote, dual analog just can't compete. If only I could get a wiimote with 360/PS3 graphics.... that's a winner for sure.

[DaEnforcer]

Wii is a joke of a console, nothing for gamers but for kids, parents and grandparents.

[Silvia007]

and I got a disagree... I have it, I don't touch it, graphics is crap on my 1080p 60" sony. My step sister loves Mario Party though.

[scarlett_rg]

You should fit right into their market niche then, since you're clearly nothing but an immature little kid.

[DeckUKold]

and silvia is a shame to my mother's name

[DaEnforcer]

Immature little kid for speaking out the truth? Uhmm ok buddy...truth is Wii packs old, last gen and outdated hardware. Have fun playing with the same graphics as last gen and enjoy all these great titles like "Roll the ball in a hole" or "Mario 23423513545623523464" ;)

But maybe it's not all that bad with Wii, I heard Ninty aims now for the more matured audience. Here's the result of their new strategy:

[Biasmania]

Yea but what happens if Nintendo does sell 50 million of these things? Every 3rd party developer will be shoveling anything they can on the Wii, and we can talk innovation all we want, I can't remember who said it but they were right, all Nintendo has done was replace button mashing with stick waggling.

Don't get me wrong here, I purchased my 12 year old son a Wii, and I liked Metroid and Zelda, but Nintendo does not have enough to hold me, again I am a huge Ratchet Clank, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear fan. Plus I love those silly little JRPG's. Thats why I own a Sony product. But I hate to see 360 owners, and PS3 owners get the shaft on superior hardware, from EA, and the like, because Nintendo somehow sold 60 million units to every grandma in the states.

[Rageanitus]

I can't picture developers programing the wii as a primary platfrom and t hen convert the games over to ps3/360/pc.

Imo it is regarded as a 2ndary unit to complement the ps3 or 360.

Unless most developers pull a capcom where they introduced devil may cry and re4 on pc just by updating the res.

[Night4ll]

As I keep saying, buy what you want and shut up... The ps2 was a great system not because it catered to the hardcore, but because it was accessible to everyone. The same is happening with the Wii.

As a returning gamer I have 7 games (1 minigame) for the Wii, and I never owned a gamecube. People go to the system that provides fun experiences without being difficult to pick up and play.

I am by no means a fanboy, but like the ps2, the Wii is providing the same fun experiences I had with the Ps2 but with an added bonus of giving me a totally different way of playing games.

I think it is important for all 3 companies to broaden their focus (just like the ps2 did). As for the Wii selling games as aren't their games usually at the top of software charts?

[unsunghero28]

Everyone's mad at the Wii because it's completely shattering the competition.

If the Wii had been losing, I seriously doubt everyone would be ragging on it so much. I would go as far to say that people would be commending Nintendo for trying to innovate the industry.

But the Wii is completely PWNING everything else- not just by a little, either- and because of that people just can't stand the thing.

[BIadestarX]

The wii can sell 100,000,000 consoles by the end of the year.. and this does not translate to 3rd party developers making money selling wii games. With Nintendo playing giving the unfair advantage to their 1st party games... 3rd party games have no chance against 1st party games... thats how Nintendo plays. For example.. they have online multiplayer lock for 3rd party developers.
1st party nintendo games will sell on the wii... but 3rd party games have done poorly since the N64... yes.. 1 or 2 3rd party game may do very well.. but Nintendo likes their games to be better than any game on their consoles.

[Rooftrellen]

Nintendo doesn't stop anyone from making good games for their systems...anymore. Nintendo likes to have the best games, of course. Ubi would like the best games too. So would Capcom. So would...well, every single developer would like to have the best games on the consoles they develop for.

Surely you can't say that, for instance, MP3 is better than RE4 because MP3 is Nintendo's game. There's a reason Nintendo games do so well, and that's because so much time and effort is given to them to make them great. By the way, its not just on Nintendo systems Nintendo does well. Most of the top 10 games ever were published by Nintendo. That should tell you, its not because of Nintendo fans, but because Nintendo really knows what good games are made of.

[unsunghero28]

Explain NFL 08 and Worms: A Space Oddity, please?

[ItsDubC]

Things that will lower your comment limit:
- Posting lies and made up facts.

There is absolutely no online multiplayer lock for 3rd-party devs on the Wii.

Sega, Konami, and Hudson all have Wii titles available in Japan w/ online play. As unsunghero already stated, Madden 08 has online play, and the same is planned for FIFA 08 and NBA Live 08. Aside from EA, 2K, Crave, Activision, Namco, Sierra, Eidos, Ubisoft, THQ, and Atlus all have Wii games in the works w/ online play.

Lie to yourself all you want, but please refrain from spreading misinformation just because you believe it to be true. If you're going to comment on something, make sure you actually know about it first.

[alaaji]

I believe that Medal of Honor will have online multiplayer (16 players) as well as Nitrobike and the other two mentioned by another poster.

[599USD]

"Hardcore gamers" make up less then 1% of the United States. Although you are the most outspoken, and although you buy more games then your average casual, the game business is about money especially to developers. Although some developers will not want to work with Wii because of it's graphical limitation, it's ultimately up to the publishers whether a game is made. They know where the money is, and that's with the Wii. Change is good for this industry. The idea that your so-called hardcore games will disappear is ludicrous and unfounded. You still make a large part of even Nintendo's dollars. Nintendo believes that if you get everyone playing games there are bound to be people who become more into gaming as well, and that opens up the possibility of more complex games. Also this whole idea that Nintendo's games aren't hardcore enough is ridiculous. What makes a game hardcore anyway? Blood, Guns, what is it?

[Biasmania]

Ninja Gaiden is a hardcore game.
Devil May Cry 3 is a hardcore game.
Want a Nintendo hardcore game? F-Zero GX.

Games that the public can't just pick up and play. Or they just don't "get".

Thats the way I have always seen hardcore games.

[purin]

i disagree with your definition of a hardcore game: "Games that the public can't just pick up and play. Or they just don't 'get'."
The public can pick up and play mario, super mario, zelda, and zelda: link to the past; considered by reviews, columnists, and gamers as some of the best games ever invented

[JosefTor]

Each time I play my Wii I feel like throwing the stupid Wii remote through my window and I end up cursing Nintendo for such a stupid concept. Never have a done that with the dual analog sticks on the PS3 or 360 since it just feels nature and the cursor goes where I want it to.
-Joe

[unsunghero28]

Don't play in sunlight?

I have my TV right next to a window so after 10 I have to set sensitivity to 1 and then sit nice and close for it to work.

A little annoying, yes. But if it let's me play some MP3, I'm happy.

[ChickeyCantor]

devs will continue making games on the 360 and PS3 and saying they wont in the future because Nintendo will be back on top is stupid and ignorant.

So its not a super computer but its still racing the same market.
its like saying low budget pc's ain't racing with high end pc's.....
" GET SERIUS "
as long you are in the same market you are racing your @ss off.

Pretty sad allot of you say its for kids and its nothing more then the GCN.
no one ever saw the full potential of the gamecube and yet you people look down @ the Wii's power.
so yes its no Ps3 nor 360, but it can do something what those 2 can do : run games.
because the Wii is weaker doesn't mean its for the inferior people( and thats what jackwei22 said can i say you are a complete moron?)
Wii is for everyone.
not just for kids grandpas and such i know enough people who love their Nintendo-Wii and are between the age of 16 ~ 30.

Spit less bullcrap people, the horror of you people not accepting that Wii is also a gaming console and Nintendo might be back on top.
scary isn't it? deal with it.
If it happens 360 or Ps3 will be third and the second console Will get lots of exclusives, fanboys are scared for nothing!

if Nintendo fails and gets third place, well my god betty, i couldn't care less because as long they provide us with their first titles you " hardcore" gamers shouldn't be talking so much sh/t, because you never liked Nintendo even if they made a power house.
because it will and always be Kiddy to you people.

[purin]

It gets a bit frustrating on this site to have to defend the legitamacy of of a product which stems from a company whose tenure spans more than 100 years.
I completely understand that gaming and politics go hand-in-hand, but come on guys...lets not turn into the very things which we hate: zealots.

p.s. bubble for ya ;)

[crck]

Until I saw the US sales for Madden 2k8. So far 1.2 million for 360. 340k for PS3 and 94k for Wii. The Wii is being outsold by the PS3 version 3.5 to 1 even though its installed base is more then twice the size of the ps3 in the US. Lets face it no one wants to buy games for the Wii when its available on any other platform. So good for Nintendo since they make money on each console but they will never get strong 3rd party support. Not to mention any Dev that has clout doesn't want to work on the Wii. Yes companies like EA, Square Enix and Ubi can force weak devs into making crap license games etc but the elite devs pretty much call the shots on their projects.

[DeadIIIRed]

And I mean Nobody wants to develop for this preschool crapfest. It's a trend and nothing more. Over 5,000,000 pet rocks were sold in the 70's and eventually faded out of the market. Besides, how many people do you know that actually still play their Wii regularly? Not very many.

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

Wii is next next-gen.

Its Wii-Mote is innotive close to "virtal reality"

X360 is NOT Next gen just better graphics.

PS3 is not next gen just better graphics and improved online.

[crck]

Thats actually about 5 gens back. But I guess everything old becomes new again.

[KeiZka]

Last I checked, those guns prior to Wii didn't have accerelometers, thus not being to able to track movement. Your point was?

[crck]

They figure out a way to send out a constant signal to track movement instead of an intermittent signal and it a revolution! That is my point.

[KeiZka]

Ehheh. They still did not track the position of the gun. Wiimote does that. You lift the wiimote, and, as seen in MP3, you can PULL things or PUSH them. A gun peripheral, on the other hand, does not recognise such gestures. See my point?

[DeckUKold]

can light guns swing swords hit a home run can it throw a grenade drive cars twist and turns can it tried to be copied by sixaxis can it beat the crap out of next gen that people it's just graphics you complain about wii being last gen but still competing with the ps2 but look the ps2 is actually taking away ps3 sales people will not move on you need to do some check ups and about that xbox game sales rate im sure every one of them is shooter

[IRONMAN_X57]

We all no nintendo right. They are full of gimmicks. SNES was supposed to have 64 bit graphics (WTF) and that was a lie. N64 was supposed to have 128bit and no didnt happen. Now the wii says graphics dont matter because of the wiimote? They are full of BS, but of course we still love them for the classics. Everyone has faults, so be it

[Bloodmask]

They stand to make the most money off the Wii. It's games cost a fraction to develop compared to PS3 and 360. You are talking a million compared to tens of millions.

They are just worried bc they know Nintendo makes "quality" games. So their rehashes of ideas with updated graphics probably won't sell. Don't blame Nintendo for your blatant lack of creativity. Strive for excellence as Nintendo does with their games and the games will sell.

[Nuclear Death]

if you read the article it states that 3rd parties aren't worried, but disappointed in the fact that Nintendo is a close minded operation. Not only does nintendo push it's own titles the hardest and ostensibly insures that others won't surpass, they also expect 3rd partys to make games around the gimmicky controller. I should know, I worked in their branding dept. for 4 years in the late 90's. Besides the controller part, this is why the gamecube is tucked firmly away in the back of my closet. The wii will be right begind it unfortunately.

[DeckUKold]

you never work anywhere otherwise you would never be on this site you tryin to convert people thats what was wrong i pity fanboys nintendo finally don't like 3rd party publishers because probably it's kinda a grudge for them abandoning the N64 to the ps1 if that never happened i don't think sony would be as successful as they was come on i think they believe they feel they can take care of themselves after the doomed N64 an GCN but i see nothing wrong with those consoles i loved those games that came out as for the wii it's more to reality than the ps3 and x360 cause you feel you in the game eve play scareface i thought i was tony montana you know how it feel doing the Kamehameha with a wiimote so satisfying being link and samus playing sports and racing wow now thats next gen moving my finger now thats Boring i don't thing i can go back to controller after the wii you should see what i mean go play a wii

[xplosneer]

Because aside from a few Raving Rabid's and other random games, the third partys don't sell very well on Nintendo consoles compared to the people who own the consoles.

Personally I have a PS3. I like it. But competition is good right? The Wii really is innovative. I'm just more of a gamer that like the regular controllers. I have played the Wii and it was fun at my friends house but I couldn't see myself just playing single player. Just my opinion.

[SJL480]

Ok I'll give nintendo the wiimote new and different

my observation is this, other than the wiimote the wii doesn't have anything else next gen. So what other systems do so good without hd with most titles re-releases, hand helds. Nintendo went with what it was good at it took a hand held idea and made it to a console instead of a link up situation where you would still have to buy a hand held game to play on your system whether you liked them or not. They just made the console the hand held. It seems to me that fits. I could be wrong. If you consider the other systems and factor in the wii as a handheld system the numbers all make sense.